Water vehicle

ABSTRACT

A top side of a deck can have a generally flat shape. A pedestal-like operator&#39;s seat base can be disposed slightly rearwardly from a central part of the deck. On an upper part of the operator&#39;s seat base, an operator&#39;s seat, a passenger&#39;s seat and a handlebar can be provided. A cowl can form a front face of the operator&#39;s seat base and can have an air inlet for introducing ambient air therethrough into an engine room. The air inlet can be provided with a water separating structure for separating ambient water from the ambient air to prevent any entry of the water into the engine room. A handrail can be provided on an upper part of the operator&#39;s seat base. Rails can be provided in a front part of a peripheral edge of the deck. A container including a containing recess and a lid can be provided in a front part of the top side of the deck.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a-d) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-308696, filed on Nov. 15, 2006, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. Field of the Inventions

The present inventions relate to the decks of water vehicles, and more particularly, water vehicle decks that have flat portions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some conventional water vehicles are arranged such that a rider can operate the watercraft while straddling a seat in a rear part of a deck. More particularly, these seats are positioned such that the rider can pivot the handlebars and thus steer the water vehicle while selectively performing acceleration and deceleration operations. One of such water vehicles is disclosed in Japanese Patent Document 2769330. This water vehicle has a body including a hull and a deck, handlebars for steering, a seat to be straddled by a rider, and a flat deck surrounding the seat and handlebar area, which allows the rider to walk around the watercraft.

The water vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Document 2769330, however, has a large bulwark on the peripheral edge of the deck, except for the rearward most portion thereof. Another seat is also provided in a position in front of the handlebars on a top side of the deck. The part of the deck between the handlebars, the seats, and the bulwark is flat, so as to allow a rider to easily walk around the handlebar and seat area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Unfortunately, since the above conventional water vehicle has a sluice-like bulwark of a relatively large lateral width (thickness) and height on the peripheral edge of the deck (except for a rear part thereof), a flat part on the top side of the deck necessarily has a reduced area. As a result, the space available for a rider to move around the deck is smaller, making it more difficult for the rider to move on the deck. Additionally, when the top side of the deck is used as a space for baggage, such space may not be large enough, resulting in lowered carrying capacity.

Further, when the water vehicle encounters a wave, and thus the water of the wave collects on the deck, the water will be drained to the outside only through the rear part of the deck. This provides poor drainage. Furthermore, when trying to get out of water and onto the water vehicle, a rider can only do it from the rear part of the watercraft wherein the is no obstructing bulwark. Also, another seat provided in front of the steering handlebar on the top side of the deck makes it difficult to provide an air inlet for introducing ambient air therethrough into an engine room.

Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, a water vehicle can comprise a body including a hull on the lower side and a deck on the upper side, a steering handlebar and a straddle type seat. The handlebar and the seat can be disposed on a top side of the deck. The water vehicle can also include an engine and a jet pump. The engine and the jet pump can be disposed within a space defined by the body. The engine can be driven to operate the jet pump to thereby drive the water vehicle. A pedestal-like operator's seat base can be disposed in a central part on the top side of the deck, wherein the top side of the deck has a generally flat shape, and the handlebar and the seat are disposed at an upper part of the operator's seat base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of the inventions disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the inventions. The drawings contain the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a top and port side perspective view of a water vehicle in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top and front perspective view of the water vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a top and rear perspective view of the water vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a top, front, and port side perspective view of the water vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a top, rear, and port side perspective view of the water vehicle.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top, rear, and port side perspective view of grips of a passenger's seat of the water vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation of view of a water separating device that can be used with the water vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a top and front perspective view of a container that can be provided in a deck portion of the water vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a top and front perspective view illustrating a state where a ladder extended out of the container illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top and port side perspective view of the water vehicle in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a personal watercraft 10 having a body in accordance with an embodiment. The body of the water vehicle is disclosed in the context of a personal watercraft because it has particular utility in this context. However, the inventions disclosed herein can be used in other contexts.

The water vehicle 10 can have a body 11 including a hull 11 a and a deck 11 b. The hull 11 a can form a lower section of the body, and the deck 11 b can form a deck section. A bond flange 11 c can be formed between the hull 11 a and the deck 11 b on their entire peripheral edges. The bond flange 11 c serves to join the hull 11 a and the deck 11 b in a watertight manner.

An operator's seat base 12 can be provided on the body 11 and in a slightly rearward direction from the fore-to-aft middle of the body 11. The operator's seat base 12 can have a generally elliptical pedestal-like shape as seen in the plan view, and can extend in the fore-to-aft direction of the body.

A straddle type seat 13 can be formed in the middle on the operator's seat base 12. The seat 13 can be straddled by a rider who operates the water vehicle, and can have a pedestal-like shape extending in the fore-to-aft direction of the water vehicle. Also, at the back of the seat 13, there can be formed a straddle-type passenger's seat 14 to be straddled by a rider who is not driving the water vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a lower rear part, on the left and right sides of the passenger's seat 14, there can be provided generally gutter-like or channel-shaped grips 14 a, 14 b. Each grip has an underside recessed upwardly, and can extend generally in the fore-to-aft direction of the water vehicle.

In a front part on the operator's seat base 12, a steering handlebar 15 can be disposed which allows a driver to steer the water vehicle 10 while seated on the operator's seat base 12. The handlebar 15 can be positioned in front of a driver when he/she is straddling the seat 13. A handlebar base 15 a (see FIG. 7) can be provided on the operator's seat base 12 to support thereon the handlebar 15. To a front part of the handlebar base 15 a, there can be attached a cowl 16 forming a front face of the operator's seat base 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, a front part of the cowl 16 can have a plurality of left and right slits extending obliquely upwardly from the middle toward the lateral side of the cowl 16. The left and right slits can have the shape of a mirror image of each other, and together can form an air inlet 16 a for introducing ambient air therethrough.

With reference to FIG. 7, a flexible hose 19 can extend from within a space defined by the handlebar base 15 a to an engine room 15 b. The flexible hose 19 can direct ambient air introduced through the air inlet 16 a into an engine room 15 b.

The flexible hose 19 can have an upper end opening 19 a in a position higher than the air inlet 16 a. The air that entered a space defined by the cowl 16 through the inlet 16 a first goes upward in the cowl 16, and then enters the flexible hose 19 and goes downward therethrough, as shown by arrows in FIG. 7.

Thus, even if ambient water enters the cowl 16 through the air inlet 16 a together with ambient air, the water cannot go upward in the cowl. Rather, such water would flow down through a space between the cowl 16 and the handlebar base 15 a and onto the top side of the deck 11 b. The air inlet 16 a, the space in the cowl 16 and the flexible hose 19 can be considered as constituting a water separating structure.

With reference to FIG. 8, in a front part of the deck 11 b, a container can be formed by a containing recess 21 and a lid 22. The containing recess 21 can have a two-stepped recess structure.

In a central part of the containing recess 21, a recess 21 a of a deeper depth can be formed. A recess 21 b of a shallower depth and of a wider width can be formed in the peripheral edge of an opening of the recess 21 a. The bottom of the recess 21 a can be in a position lower than a waterline of the body 11. The bottom of the recess 21 a can also have a water inlet 21 c communicating with the outside of the body 11. The water inlet 21 c can be selectively opened and closed by a plug (not shown). Opening the water inlet 21 c allows ambient water to be introduced into the container up to the same level as the waterline.

The recess 21 a can be used to store objects therein when no water is stored therein. When water is stored in the recess 21 a, it can be used as a live-bait tank for example, for keeping live bait fish or fish that have been caught. The recess 21 b can be used to store therein rod-like or frame-like objects, such as a ladder 23 shown in FIG. 8.

The lid 22 can be formed of a plate. The lid 22 can be pivotally attached at its rear end to the rear end of an upper end opening of the containing recess 21 with a pair of hinges 22 a, 22 b. The paired hinges can be positioned with a certain lateral distance therebetween. With the containing recess 21 closed by moving the lid 22 to a lower closed position, the lid 22 can form part of the top side of the deck 11 b. With the containing recess 21 opened by pivoting the lid to an upper open position, it is possible to take objects in and out of the containing recess 21.

On the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b, there can be formed a rib 24 of a height slightly higher than the top side of the deck 11 b. In some embodiments, the height of the rib 24 is short enough that a user can comfortably stand with their feet on the flat part of the deck 11 b but with their toes on top of the rib 24. As such, a user can comfortably walk and turn around while standing on the deck 11 b, without a tall gunnel interfering with movements of their feet.

On both lateral sides and in a front part of the rib 24, there can be provided fence-like rails 25 a, 25 b which can be formed of tubular members. The rails 25 a, 25 b can be shaped generally in a mirror image of each other.

Each rail can include a generally C-shaped section and a vertical section. The generally C-shaped section can extend generally vertically upwardly from the front end of the rib 24 and can be bent, then rearwardly and bent again, then obliquely downwardly and coupled to the rib 24. The vertical section can extend downwardly from a generally middle part of a horizontal part of the generally C-shaped section, and can be coupled to the rib 24. However, other configurations can also be used.

Between the front ends of the rails 25 a, 25 b, there can be provided such a space that a rider can pass therethrough. In a part of the rib 24 in a slightly forward direction of the front ends of the rails 25 a, 25 b, a pair of grooves 24 a, 24 b can be provided for the purpose of helping drain water off the deck 11 b as well as selectively attaching the ladder 23. FIG. 9 illustrates the state where the ladder 23 is attached to the grooves 24 a, 24 b. Attaching the ladder 23 in such manner allows a rider to more easily get into water from the top side of the deck 11 b or get out of the water and onto the top side of the deck 11 b.

The rail 25 a, 25 b can be used to attach a holder thereto for holding a fishing rod thereon. Further, the rail 25 a, 25 b can be used to attach a rearview mirror thereto which allows a driver straddling the seat 13 to check the view behind the water vehicle or to attach a wakeboard. As shown in FIG. 3, in the rear end and on both lateral sides of the rib 24, there can also be formed grooves 24 c, 24 d similar to the grooves 24 a, 24 b. On the lateral sides of the rib 24, a plurality of spaced drain grooves 24 e can be formed.

It should be noted that although not shown, an engine can be provided in a bottom central part within the body 11. A crankshaft (not shown) of the engine can extend rearwardly from a rear part of the engine through a space defined by the body 11. The crankshaft can be coupled to an impeller shaft, which in turn can be coupled to a jet propulsion device provided at the stern of the body 11. The impeller shaft can be coupled to an impeller provided within the jet propulsion device. As the engine is driven, a rotational force of the crankshaft can be transmitted through the impeller shaft to the impeller to thereby rotate the impeller.

The jet propulsion device can include a water inlet which can be open at the bottom of the body 11, and a discharge nozzle which can be open at the stern. Ambient water introduced through the water inlet can be spouted from the discharge nozzle as the impeller rotates, which generates a propulsive force for the body 11.

A steering nozzle 26 can be attached to a rear part of the discharge nozzle. The steering nozzle 26 can be coupled to the handlebar 15 by an operational wire in a manner selectively deflecting to the right or left in response to a driver's operation of the handlebar 15. A reverse bucket 27 can also be attached relative to the discharge nozzle 26 for selectively switching the direction in which the water vehicle 10 travels between a forward direction and a reverse direction.

To the rear end of the hull 11 a of the body 11, a generally C-shaped reboarding step 28 can also be attached. The reboarding step 28 can include a pair of generally vertical sections and a horizontal section. The generally vertical sections can be spaced from each other and can extend upwardly. The horizontal section can be connected between both ends of the generally vertical sections.

The reboarding step 28 can be biased upwardly by a spring. Such a spring can be sized such that a user can easily apply a downward load on the step 28 and thereby lower the step 28 to a generally horizontal orientation. The reboarding step 28 can be used by a rider when he/she gets out of water to reboard the water vehicle.

At a central part of the rear of the operator's seat base 12, an attachment part 12 a can be disposed. The attachment part 12 a includes a pair of rod-like parts extending rearward parallel to each other, and a ring-shaped part at the distal ends of the rods. The attachment part 12 a can be used for connecting a rope or the like thereto.

During operation, as the driver activates a start switch (not shown) proximate to the handlebar 15, the driver can hold a grip of the handlebar 15, and then move a throttle lever proximate to the grip toward it. The water vehicle 10 will start moving as the jet propulsion device is driven to discharge a jet of water from the discharge nozzle 26.

As the driver moves the throttle lever closer to the grip, engine speed will increase, and thus the water vehicle 10 will be driven at higher speeds. On the other hand, as the driver moves the throttle lever farther from the grip, engine speed will decrease, and thus the water vehicle 10 will run at lower speeds.

As the handlebar 15 is turned in a clockwise direction as seen in plan view, the steering nozzle 26 will deflect to the right, allowing the water vehicle 10 to turn to the right. On the other hand, the handlebar 15 can be turned in a counterclockwise direction as seen in plan view, the steering nozzle 26 will deflect to the left, allowing the water vehicle 10 to turn to the left.

Riders can straddle the seat 13 and the passenger's seat 14 in a comfortable position during operation. When the water vehicle 10 encounters a wave, the water of the wave will not collect on the top side of the deck 11 b but flow down onto the ambient water surface from a certain peripheral part of the deck 11 b. Even a small amount of water left on the top side of the deck 11 b will fall onto the ambient water surface through the grooves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, 24 e. When a rearview mirror is attached to the rail 25 a or the rail 25 b, the driver can use the mirror to check the view behind the water vehicle without looking back.

It is also possible to stop the water vehicle 10 for the purpose of enjoying fishing or swimming. In this case, a rider can keep an anchor in the recess 21 a of the container. Thus, the rider can remove the anchor from the recess 21 a and cast it into the water.

Fish that have been caught can be kept in the recess 21 a. Additionally, unplugging the dry recess 21 a will allow ambient water to flow therein, providing the caught fish with water.

A rider can also take the ladder 23 out of the recess 21 b of the container and then attach it to the distal end of the body 11 as shown in FIG. 9. The rider can then get into the water using the ladder 23. To get out of the water, the rider can use the ladder 23 to get onto the deck 11 b, or otherwise the rider can climb onto the top side of the deck 11 b directly from under the water over the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b.

When using a wakeboard attached previously to the rail 25 a or the rail 25 b, a rider first can first remove the wakeboard from the rail 25 a or the rail 25 b, and then tie one end of a rope to be used to the attachment part 12 a at the rear end of the operator's seat base 12. Then, after making the wakeboard float on the water, one of the riders can get on the wakeboard, while holding onto a grip coupled to the other end of the rope. The other rider operates the water vehicle 10.

As such, when the water vehicle 10 is being driven, ambient air will be introduced through the air inlet 16 a into the cowl 16, and then through the flexible hose 19 into the engine room. Even if any ambient water enters the cowl 16 through the air inlet 16 a together with the air, the water is prevented from entering the flexible hose 19. This avoids any entry of ambient water into the engine, which cause no hindrance to engine operation or engine trouble. The top side of the deck 11 b can also be used as a space for placing thereon various baggage or the like.

With reference to FIG. 10, as an alternative manner of using the top side of the deck 11 b, stand-type seats 29 a, 29 b can be attached in a position behind the lid 22 of the container provided in the front part of the deck 11 b. In this case, a threaded hole for bolting can be provided in the deck 11 b, and a bolt insertion hole can be provided in a lower part of the seat 29 a, 29 b. A bolt can be inserted through the bolt insertion hole of the seat 29 a, 29 b and then threadedly engaged with the threaded hole, thereby securing the seat 29 a, 29 b to the deck 11 b. In accordance with this structure, a rider can make himself/herself comfortable straddling the seats 29 a, 29 b, as well as the seat 13 and the passenger's seat 14.

As such, in the water vehicle 10, part of the top side of the deck 11 b, other than a central part thereof where the operator's seat base 12 can be provided, has a generally flat shape. Thus, a flat part on the top side of the deck 11 b can be larger. As a result, a rider has more space to move on the top side of the deck 11 b, making it easier for the rider to move thereon. Further, since the space for baggage or the like on the top side of the deck 11 b becomes larger, when a rider enjoys fishing on the water vehicle 10 for example, he/she can place more objects side by side on the deck, such as fishing gear or a box-like container such as a cooler.

Further, the flat part on the top side of the deck 11 b can extend to the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b. The peripheral edge of the deck 11 b only has the small rib 24 projecting slightly upwardly therefrom. Accordingly, even when the water vehicle 10 encounters a wave, the water of the wave can be drained off from any part of the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b. Thus, the water can be prevented from collecting on the deck 11 b. Further, when a rider tries to get out of water and onto the water vehicle 10, he/she can do it from any part of the water vehicle. Specifically, when a rider tries to get onto the water vehicle 10 from a rear part thereof, he/she can use the reboarding step 28, making it easier for the rider to get onto the water vehicle.

The air inlet 16 a for introducing ambient air therethrough into the engine room can be provided in the cowl 16 forming the front face of the operator's seat base 12. As a result, the air inlet 16 a can be open to face a forward direction of the water vehicle 10, making it easier to introduce ambient air into the engine room. The air inlet 16 a can be in a position higher than the top side of the deck 11 b. Thus, even when the water vehicle 10 encounters a wave and then the water of the wave collects on the top side of the deck 11 b, such water is less likely to enter the engine room through the air inlet 16 a.

Further, the water separating structure for separating ambient water from ambient air that enters the air intake 16 to prevent any entry of the water into the engine room can be formed by an air passage and the flexible hose 19. The air passage can be formed to extend from the air inlet 16 a to an upper part in the cowl 16. As a result, even if any water enters the cowl through the air inlet 16 a, it does not enter the flexible hose 19 but flows downward of the cowl 16. Thus, any entry of water into the engine room can be prevented reliably.

Further, the distance from the front end of the operator's seat base 12 to the front end of the body 11 can be longer than the distance from the rear end of the operator's seat base 12 to the rear end of the body 11. As a result, since the distance from the air inlet 16 a to the front end of the body 11 becomes longer, ambient water is much less likely to enter the cowl through the air inlet 16 a.

Further, the rails 25 a, 25 b can be provided in a front part of the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b. This makes it easier for a rider to move on the deck 11 b. When baggage is placed on the deck 11 b, the rails 25 a, 25 b can help prevent baggage falling off the water vehicle 10. In the front part on the top side of the deck 11 b, the container formed by the containing recess 21 and the lid 22 can be provided. As a result, the part of the deck which will otherwise be left as a dead space can be used effectively for storing the ladder 23, anchor, or the like. Further, the lower end of the recess 21 a of the containing recess 21 can be in a position lower than a waterline of the body 11, and can have the water inlet 21 c. The water inlet 21 c communicates with a water passage for introducing ambient water into the recess 21 a. Thus, it is possible to use the recess as a live-bait tank.

The present inventions are not limited to the foregoing embodiments and can be modified as needed. For example, in the foregoing embodiments, the rib 24 can be formed on the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b. However, the rib 24 can be eliminated and the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b can be flush with the deck 11 b. In accordance with this alternative, drainage of the top side of the deck 11 b can be enhanced. Further, in the foregoing embodiments, the rails 25 a, 25 b are provided in a front part of the peripheral edge of the deck 11 b. However, the rails 25 a, 25 b can be omitted. Alternatively, the rails 25 a, 25 b can be provided in another part or on the entire peripheral edge of the deck 11 b. Further, the structure of the other parts forming the water vehicles 10, 10 a can be modified as desired.

Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combination or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 

1. A water vehicle comprising a body including a hull on the lower side and a deck on the upper side, a steering handlebar and a straddle type seat, the handlebar and the seat being disposed on a top side of the deck, an engine and a jet pump, the engine and the jet pump being disposed within a space defined by the body, the engine being driven to operate the jet pump to thereby drive the water vehicle, and a pedestal-like operator's seat base in a central part on the top side of the deck, wherein the top side of the deck has a generally flat shape, and the handlebar and the seat are disposed at an upper part of the operator's seat base.
 2. The water vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising an engine room, the engine being disposed in the engine room, and an air inlet in a front face of the operator's seat base, the air inlet introducing ambient air therethrough into the engine room.
 3. The water vehicle according to claim 2 further comprising a water separating structure between the air inlet and the engine room, the water separating structure separating ambient water from the ambient air to prevent any entry of the water into the engine room.
 4. The water vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the front end of the operator's seat base to the front end of the body is longer than a distance from the rear end of the operator's seat base to the rear end of the body.
 5. The water vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a grip on an upper part of the operator's seat base and in a position proximate to the steering handlebar, the grip being positioned to allow a rider to hold onto the grip when walking on the deck.
 6. The water vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the grip is in a position lower than the steering handlebar.
 7. The water vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a rail on a part of a peripheral edge of the deck, the rail being formed of at least one of a tubular member and a rod-like member.
 8. The water vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a container in front of the operator's seat base on the top side of the deck, the container including a recess recessed downwardly from the top side of the deck and a lid configured to selectively cover a top opening of the recess.
 9. The water vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the lower end of the recess of the container is in a position lower than a waterline of the body, the water vehicle further comprising a water passage configured to introduce the ambient water into the recess, the water passage communicating with the lower end of the recess.
 10. The water vehicle according to claim 1 wherein a flat portion of the deck disposed forwardly of the handlebar is sufficiently large to allow a person to stand on the flat portion.
 11. The water vehicle according to claim 1 a forward portion of the deck disposed forwardly of the handlebar includes a storage compartment containing a water vehicle boarding ladder. 